Barcelona v Chelsea Preview – Memorable Encounters

byDavidonApril 27, 2009

No sooner had Chelsea seen off one familiar foe in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League than another homed into view. After knocking out Liverpool in spectacular fashion in the quarter-finals, the Blues take on Barcelona in the last four. Judging by past meetings between the sides, we could be in for a tie every bit as special as Chelsea’s memorable encounter with Liverpool.

2006/07 Group stage
Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona
Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea
Both sides it seems, save their best for the occasion. Talking to uefa.com, Frank Lampard described his outstanding chip over Victor Valdés in the second meeting in Group A as “definitely my best [goal]”. Both teams would advance from the group, with Chelsea top thanks to Didier Drogba’s winner at Stamford Bridge and his injury-time leveller at the Camp Nou. Deco, now at Chelsea, was on target for Barcelona.

2005/06 First knockout round (Barcelona win 3-2 on aggregate)
Chelsea 1-2 Barcelona
Barcelona 1-1 Chelsea
The Spanish champions had been knocked out by Chelsea at this stage the previous year and they gained revenge thanks to a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge in the first leg. Samuel Eto’o scored the winner with ten minutes remaining against a Chelsea team who had had Asier Del Horno sent off before half-time, before a moment of magic from Ronaldinho at the Camp Nou wrapped up the tie. Just over two months later, Barcelona beat another English side, Arsenal FC, to be crowned European champions for the second time.

2004/05 First knockout round (Chelsea win 5-4 on aggregate)
Barcelona 2-1 Chelsea
Chelsea 4-2 Barcelona
One of the classic UEFA Champions League ties. Leading 2-1 from the first leg in the Camp Nou, Barcelona were rocked in the return as goals from Eidur Gudjohnsen, Frank Lampard and Damien Duff put Chelsea 3-0 up on the night within 19 minutes. Barcelona hit back and regained command thanks to a pair of Ronaldinho goals before half-time – one a penalty, one a sublime shot from the edge of the area with the outside of his boot. In an end-to-end match, though, it was Chelsea captain John Terry who would have the final word when he headed in Duff’s corner 14 minutes from time.

1999/00 Quarter-finals (Barcelona win 6-4 on aggregate aet)
Chelsea 3-1 Barcelona
Barcelona 5-1 Chelsea
The Spanish champions were stunned by Gianluca Vialli’s side as Tore André Flo struck twice in the first 38 minutes and Gianfranco Zola once to give Chelsea a 3-0 half-time lead. Luís Figo pulled one back in the second half to give Barcelona hope before scoring again in the return to help the Catalan club force extra time. Late strikes from Rivaldo – a penalty – and Patrick Kluivert sealed victory for Barcelona.